Velvet, I am so sorry for your loss. I haven't always agreed with your advice and I think you and I exchanged some 'words' once, but it never crossed my mind to doubt that you had suffered a terrible loss or to criticise or mudsling. I know that some people in these forums will do that occasionally but I always know I can come here for help and sincere sympathy from the good people who post here. You are so well known in the forums you cannot help but find caring and empathetic words here. I am so truely sorry for your loss. Cheryl

Fannie and Freddie are apparently not blameless "victims" of their own supposed ignorance of what they were doing after all..as some prefer to believe... IF this pans out as true....(time will tell what under the table deals may come about nonetheless)... Of course. These two guys probably have three times that if not more squirreled away in some tax favorable or exempt off shore accounts ..... HALLELUJAH!!!!! Regulator Plans to Bar Big Severance By JAMES R. HAGERTY September 15, 2008; Page A18 The regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said Sunday that it won't allow the companies to make "golden parachute" severance payments to the mortgage companies' ousted chief executive officers. In a statement, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said such payments wouldn't be made to Daniel Mudd and Richard Syron, despite provisions in their contracts. Mr. Mudd served as chief executive of Fannie and Mr. Syron was chairman and CEO of Freddie until last weekend, when the regulator seized control of the companies, saying they were in danger of running out of capital. News reports that the two executives stood to receive millions of dollars in severance payments under their contracts triggered public protests from numerous politicians and inspired political cartoons in newspapers. The FHFA cited "applicable statute and regulation" for its decision. The regulator has taken management control of the two companies under a legal process known as "conservatorship," which could last for years while Fannie and Freddie are restored to financial health. The U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide as much capital as the companies need to continue in their role as the main suppliers of funding for home mortgages. The FHFA last week named Herb Allison as CEO at Fannie and David Moffett as CEO at Freddie. Spokesmen for Fannie and Freddie declined to comment on the pay decision. Messrs. Syron and Mudd couldn't be reached immediately for comment. David Schmidt, a senior consultant at James F. Reda & Associates LLC, a compensation consulting concern in New York, estimated that, without the regulator's intervention, Mr. Mudd's exit package could total as much as $6 million to $8 million and Mr. Syron's $15 million. Those totals include pensions, continuing benefits and other payments the companies' boards might grant. It isn't clear what pension and other payments may still be made to Messrs. Syron and Mudd, given the regulator's ruling. The collapse in the share prices of Fannie and Freddie already has wiped out much of the two executives' wealth. Since March, for instance, the value of Mr. Mudd's shares in Fannie has dropped to about $683,000 from $23.7 million.

Thanks again to all who have been so kind and helpful... this site has the greatest people anywhere! Sadly, the two front-runners are stretching their lead -- they both jumped up by 60 votes each overnight! Not sure how they're doing it, but it's rather discouraging. The contest goes on for another week -- ends Sept. 12 -- so who knows what will happen. Again, many thanks for your encouragement and support. I really appreciate it! Nancy

"my DH paid into SS for 44 years and it is what sustains my life today, along with his company benefits. For you to say it 'isn't earned' boggles my mind. While I do have other financial benefits in the form of an IRA, annuities, and such, why in god's name would I choose to use that when he was paying into SS all those years? There are many who have NOT worked, yet collect disability/SS, and they seem to be the very people who feel entitled." Patty you have got to be kidding!!! You just told us that you are collecting money from your *husband's* Social Security benefit....and then you say something snarky about the many who have not worked yet collect SS?!?! Um, that would be the face in the mirror for you.